This nonprofit organization preserves dozens of structures throughout New England along with a huge collection of objects and extensive archives. If you are interested in house architecture, and I suspect you are, it’s time to visit Historic. Explore the virtual tour as prep for your next in-person visit. Well-loved for the atmosphere of its galleries and for its dazzling courtyard gardens, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is still impressive in virtual form. Gardner intended the museum’s lower three floors to be visited, but the types of art-furniture, textiles, and ceramics, along with paintings and sculptures-and their arrangement immerse the visitor in the space. The building, which is modeled after a 15th century Venetian palace, houses an extensive collection of European, Asian, and American art in a series of rooms that feel like a private home, that is, the private home of a wealthy person who really loves art. Boston’s extraordinary collector and patron of the arts built a museum for her treasures, moved into the fourth floor, and subsequently left it all “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.” Or, perhaps you’d like to visit Isabella Stewart Gardner’s place. After your tour, return to the park’s website where you will find photo galleries and a wealth of information about the family, their culture, and their impact on the nation. Google’s presentation is easy to navigate with a mouse or touchpad: select a floor, click and swipe to move through space, use the “+” sign for close up views. The virtual tour allows visitors to see each room with its original furnishings, books, art, and personal belongings. Long Room of the Old House, Adams National Historic Park Here’s a screenshot of the Old House at Peacefield, the home of John, Abigail, John Quincy and their descendents. The National Park Service has paired up with Google Arts & Culture to create a 3D tour of the four major buildings that comprise the Adams National Historic Park in Quincy. You could tour John Adams’s home, for example. If you are tired of being stuck in the house, why not visit someone else’s place.

Sweet home 3d garden library